Confucius
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Hi Reader, Sometime ago a friend suggested I read Confucius to help me find the answers I was seeking. I haven’t found it an easy read, some points require consideration, but that’s as it should be. And on some points I disagree. But that is also perhaps ok. Shouldn't we always make our own evaluation? We have been gifted with free will. As long as we beg to differ with respect, no harm is done. But I clearly remember the first statement that struck a chord with me. 'To attack a task from the wrong end can do nothing but harm.' I have held that close to my heart since, however I chose to ignore it when I stepped my newsletter up from monthly to weekly. I knew it would be a challenge. While I have an excess of ideas for articles, I lack the necessary time to produce them to the standard I have set. So, when life threw me a curveball in June of this year, a few things suffered, including this newsletter. As a result, I am restarting the newsletter as a monthly publication, for the foreseeable future. The important thing for me is that the content is quality, and the production reliable. I have found that many of the sayings that appeal to me have a similar meaning. One of my maternal grandmother’s favourite sayings is: Act in haste, repent at leisure. another phrase I try to keep close to my heart, despite ignoring its' wisdom from time to time. It has occurred to me that many of the problems I have faced in life resulted from a lack of patience. Patience I feel may be the hardest skill to master - and is undeniably one of the most advantageous. But, the path of learning is eternal. And in order to learn, we have to pick ourselves up when we fall, and try again. Every time. Thank you to all of my subscribers for sticking with me. Focus on the light, always, Natalie Attenborough |
Focus on the Light
Hi Reader, This week I completed a task long overdue that had presented me with a level of risk. I was aware of the need to complete the task for sometime however have only now been able to achieve it. On completion I was surprised to notice a palpable shift in perspective. I felt significantly lighter. I hadn't realised how much worry I had been carrying over this job. I thought I had accepted the unavoidable delay without consequence to my mental state. It reminded me that when we carry a...
Hi Reader, The Dalai Lama teaches that anger is a weakness, and counsels never to act or make a decision when in an angry state. While passionate feelings may inspire great deeds, no good comes from anger. I am generally an agreeable person. Though we all get angry at times. When angry, my natural response is to try and rationalise the situation. But my reasoning is flawed by the negative emotion, and I always, and I mean always, either make things worse or hurt others or myself. So now, when...
Hi Reader, I went home for a few days recently. My family home. My parents still live in the house I grew up in. It is a house filled with memories, and love. The same chair where I sat on my Mums knee as an infant, that I now sit in with my daughter when we visit. The dining room where my family shared Christmas meals after opening gifts. The bedroom I shared with my older sister. Every square inch of the house is crammed with memories. As is the village it is located in. And going there I...